With hearts connected despite the distance, the Third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo officially commenced on June 29th. Vice Chairman Han Zheng attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. In the afternoon, the China-Hubei Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference took place at the Hunan Hotel. Attendees included Zhang Wentong, Vice Governor of Hubei Province, Lai Mingyong, Vice Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Political Consultative Conference, Wang Dong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of West Asian and African Affairs under the Ministry of Commerce, and Wang Jimin, Director-General of the Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce. Representatives from foreign governments and businesses from 19 countries including Angola, Mozambique, Algeria, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, and Uganda attended the conference. Chen Tong, Chairman of HIETC, participated in the promotion event.

During the promotion event, Vice Governor Zhang Wentong, Vice Chairman Lai Mingyong, and Deputy Director-General Wang Dong delivered enthusiastic speeches. Subsequently, Director-General Wang Jimin introduced the economic and trade cooperation between Hubei and African countries, and promoted key enterprises from Hubei.

At the event, HIETC signed a memorandum of cooperation with its partner from Liberia for the self-dumping truck project and the iron ore project. The contract amount exceeded 490 million yuan.

It is reported that the current exposition will be held from June 29th to July 2nd, with the theme of “Seeking Development, Sharing the Future”. Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia are the eight African countries serving as the guest of honor. Hubei Province and Shandong Province are serving as the theme provinces.

During the exposition, nearly 40 different events will be held, including the opening ceremony and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, 9 high-level events organized by national departments and institutions, 7 economic and trade matchmaking sessions, 3 thematic seminars, and 13 local special sessions. These events will cover various fields, including green infrastructure, customs and quarantine, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, agricultural and food products, light industry and textiles, industrial parks, women and youth, vocational education, and more.